ROAD HAZARDS

Evening Post, Volume CXXVIII, Issue 25, 29 July 1939, Page 11

ROAD HAZARDS

, THEFT OF LIGHTS

TRAGIC POSSIBILITIES

Strong comment on the actions oX persons who destroyed or stole lamps placed on road construction works to warn traffic of possible danger was made by the Minister of Public Works (the Hon. R. Semple) last ni&ht. Such action, he said, was contemptible in itself and was fraught with serious consequences to innocent travellers.

Mr. Semple said fiiat in the course of its extensive roading operations, constant endeavours were made by the Public Works Department "to provide, as far as possible, for the safety of ths travelling public. The improvement or reconstruction of roads and highways generally involved a material alteration in gradient or alignment, and the existence of changed conditions was marked by adequate signposting^ in regard to which every co-operation was given by automobile-associations. "For the guidance of night travellers, warning lights' are - displayed where temporary hazards exist, but it frequently happens that the protective measure is entirely lost because the lights are stolen," said the. Minister. "I°am most concerned over such petty thieving, because of the tragic consequences which sooner or later will befall an unsuspecting night traveller. The stealing >f a lamp may be in itself a relatively small matter, but the serious possibility of painful injury or loss of life because a warning light has been stolen is a matter of concern to .everyone. . "I have ascertained that during the last 12 months no fewer than 179 lamps have been stolen from roadworks controlled by the Public Works Department, and despite special precautions it has not been possible to apprehend any of the culprits. Irresponsible acts of this kind are deprecated by every decent-minded citizen, and should an offender be caught he will deserve no mercy. ~ «I am hopeful-that by bringing the matter under the notice of the public every assistance will be given towards detecting such mean behaviour and preventing further losses. When warning lights are placed in an endeavour to save suffering and loss of life as well as to prevent damage to property, it is shocking to find that by the deliberate actions of some unknown persons the public is robbed of the protection /which those in authority are trying to give.".